ProRodeo Sports News - August 18, 2023

BY TANNER BARTH I n sports it’s easy to see from a young age when an athlete has the “it” factor. The skill is there, the work ethic is present, and no moment is too big. The sport of rodeo is no different. Riley Webb set the ProRodeo world on fire during his first season as a PRCA cardholder. The Denton, Texas, tie-down roper not only captured the Resistol Rookie of the Year title but made his debut at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. He went on to finish 10th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $188,597. As impressive as his rookie season was on the ProRodeo circuit, his second go around on the sport’s biggest stage has been even better. With over a month left to go in the season, Webb has earned $218,400, which surpasses tie-down roper Shad Mayfield’s record of $203,508 for the most money won in a single regular season before the NFR in the event. Mayfield set the mark in 2022. “You always want to set high goals and do the best you can,” said Webb, 19. “That was a goal in the back of my mind, but obviously the main goal is to win a world title. All of that will take care of itself if you set your goals high enough and continue working hard.” He’s in a prime position to do just that in 2023. As of Aug. 16, he sits No. 1 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings $73,167 ahead of Haven Meged in the No. 2 spot. Webb kicked off 2023 in one of the best ways possible, on top, as champion of the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo in Denver. That began what some would call a historic winter run. In a two-month stretch from Jan. 20 – March 25, he pocketed $94,429 at just eight rodeos with keys wins in Houston and Abilene, Texas. “It seemed like I was placing just about everywhere this winter and winning Houston was definitely a big chunk of change,” Webb said. “For a while it felt like nothing could go wrong, but if I’m being honest, I’d say a lot of my success this season has been because of my horses. I wouldn’t be where I am this season without Boots. “I bought him right after the Finals last year and he has changed my life. We really just clicked right off the bat, and it was a seamless transition. I’ve rode him at every rodeo up to this point. Everybody ropes so darn well out here nowadays, that I think horsepower is what can really separate the field.” A season ago, during Mayfield’s record year he was sharing the rig with none other than Webb. He said it’s no surprise the success the young tie-down roper has seen so far this season. “He’s had a great year, we all knew this was coming for Riley,” said Mayfield, the 2020 PRCA World Champion Tie-Down Roper. “He’s a talented roper and he’s always won on every level he’s competed in. It was no lucky deal this year. He has some really great horses he’s going down the road with. He’s a winner and he always has been.” A legend in the sport, eight-time PRCA World Champion Joe Beaver, has seen tie-down roping evolve over the years. He knows talent when he sees it, a quick glance at Webb told him all he needed to know about the future of the sport. “There are a chosen few that you see that have that spark when they are 14, 15, or 16 years old, where if they figure out how to capitalize on it, it’ll carry them somewhere,” said Beaver, a 2000 inductee into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “He was one of those kids. I see the sport of rodeo dealing with Riley Webb for years to come.” Webb shatters regular season tie-down roping earnings mark PRORODEO RECORDS Record Breaker

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee After making his Wrangler NFR debut in 2022, Ri ley Webb hasn’t slowed down one bit this season. The Denton, Texas, tie-down roper currently sits No. 1 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings.

A gold buckle seems to be in the works for Webb, whether it’s in 2023 or down the road. He said while that will never not be the goal, his focus right now is finishing up this season on a strong note and then turning his focus to the

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “I have 20 rodeos left this season” he said. “I’m just going to try and do the best I can. After the season I’ll get back home and get ready for the Finals. I’m excited for that. A world title is the goal.”

ProRodeo Sports News 8/18/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 8/18/2023

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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